The Napier we know today was built by business in many ways. Businesses that always punched above their weight with inspiring, courageous individuals at the helm. That heritage continues with our vibrant, innovative business sector delivering world-class products and services.

As we mark 150 years of the Napier we love, we want to celebrate our community in all its many guises including our business community. We want to honour the people, the ideas, the determination and the energy that help put Napier on an international stage. 

On Friday 1 November, Napier City Council is hosting a business gala at the Napier War Memorial Centre. This will be a spectacular cocktail function with speakers, entertainment and lots of fun with bubbles, nibbles and the chance to kick off the heels and have a dance! It’s been tough out there for many in our commercial and industrial sectors. This night will give us an opportunity to share stories, make connections and celebrate all the good stuff that’s happening in the Bay.

The story of Napier is interwoven with our business community. That’s 150 years of resilience, innovation and hard work despite natural disasters, depression, recession and a global pandemic! 

Throughout our history runs a thread of economic development. Right back to the earliest days of people living around Te Whanganui a Orotu, trade, reciprocity and manaakitanga were part of life here. Early European settlers founded trading posts and general stores in Napier that made it an essential stop along a challenging coastline.

Napier Port, opened in 1855, and Hawke’s Bay Airport (60 this year) means Napier is a central business hub and trade gateway to the North Island. We are well placed to connect New Zealand to the world, but we are compact so it’s easy to get around, interconnect and collaborate.

Throughout Napier’s places and spaces, there are reminders of the 30,000 Club, which was a group of businessmen who contributed much to Napier’s early years. They were set on growing the population here and putting Napier on the map as an attractive visitor destination. Not only were they astute business operators they also contributed time and money to beautification endeavours and events. Napier grew famous for celebratory carnivals and outrageous mardi gras. Kennedy Road’s palms and Marine Parade’s Soundshell, Tom Parker Fountain and Floral Clock are all testament to their commitment and belief in our city. We have a strong background of proactive, engaged businesses, which are a cornerstone of our community. That legacy inspires our future. 

Innovative, energetic business acumen is still something we are continually proud of here in Napier. There are many companies that were founded here, have strong roots in Napier, and now participate in world markets, promoting the good things that grow here to the world.

When we talk to Napier businesses about what they need from us, we are told they want events, relationship building and collaboration opportunities. People want to share knowledge, cement networks and work together to grow innovation, spark creativity and explore new markets.

Our Napier 150 Gala is more than just a sparkling party, it’s a time to come together and celebrate Napier enterprise, its history and its future. I am well aware of the hard work and relentless task running a business can be in this climate. We would love people to take an evening to join us in honouring our entrepreneurial spirit, the incredible journey of our local businesses and the bright path ahead.

The ticketed cocktail event is 6pm to 8.30pm on Friday, 1 November at the Napier War Memorial Centre. Media personality, Belinda Innes, will MC the evening, which will feature a Q&A session with Nigel Avery, and a keynote address by Vaughn Davis. Tickets are $80pp through Eventfinda.